Arizona Tax Relief Blog

How To File An Appeal With The IRS by Arizona Tax Relief

But when you come across an envelope from the IRS, a little panic is perfectly understandable.

No matter the contents of that envelope, know you have a right, as a citizen of the United States, to challenge any IRS claim you deem inaccurate. This is where filing an appeal comes into play. And if you’ve never filed an appeal, I want to highlight a few practical steps to take.

Before I address those points, please know I’m here to walk you through the process in person — especially if you received one of those unexpected letters in the last few weeks! Together, we can sit down and discuss, step-by-step, your plan to appeal a decision with IRS.

Use this: (602) 687-9768

Now, here are a few key steps to follow to help you file an appeal with the IRS…

How To File An Appeal With The IRS by Arizona Tax Relief

“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.” -Norman Vincent Peale

If you are thinking about filing an appeal, IRS Publication 5 is an essential document to aid you in the process.

One of the first steps, as outlined in the doc, is to set up a meeting or teleconference with the supervisor who issued your case. Then if you’re not pleased with the outcome of that conversation, the next step is appealing your case to the Appeals Office of the IRS.

Like your initial conversation, talking with the Appeals Office can happen over the phone or face-to-face. But it is a good idea, though not required, to have some representation with you — this is not an ideal scenario to walk through alone.

Prepare and Provide

The worst thing you could do, in entering into one of the aforementioned conversations with IRS representatives, is come ill-prepared.

Publication 5 will give you foundational knowledge for the process, but only YOU can write the required appeal letter — an important document to have on hand through the appeal. In the letter, there are a few key items to include:

Name, address, and telephone number

Statement declaring your decision to appeal the IRS report you received

Copy of the report you received and details of why you disagree

Tax years and periods involved in your case

The facts (re: evidence) that will support your case

The underlying law backing your appeal

You will need to sign and acknowledge the penalties of perjury: “Under the penalties of perjury, I declare that I examined the facts stated in this protest, including any accompanying documents, and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, they are true, correct, and complete.”

Call on a Pro

Alright, alright … I know I already stated my case. But seeking professional help is really your best bet when filing an appeal.

Why?

Because if you wish to not conduct the appeals conversation with a supervisor or even the Appeals Office, a lawyer or professional representative can do it for you.

Form 2848 will help you file proper power of attorney and authorization paperwork.

So if you’re up for the challenge, filing an appeal can totally be on you. There is enough info on the interweb, or in Publication 5 alone, to go it alone. But when entering into battle (and a battle it will be), “alone” is often not the spot you want to be.

Please reach out if you find an IRS surprise in your mailbox, and know that you have someone to link arms with — someone who lives and breathes the (very) confusing tax law of the land.

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Arizona Tax Relief

Renee Sieradski, EA, CTR has received extensive training in the field of IRS Representation, with over 18 years of experience as a practicing Tax Professional, and specializing in Multi-State Taxation and the Real Estate Industry. Her expertise is in resolving tax debt, with a focus on 1040 tax liens. She is also a Federally Authorized Enrolled Agent.